Inov8 Trailfly Zero v2 Review: Deja Voodoo

Introduction to the Inov8 Trailfly Zero v2

JOHN: I’ve been obsessed with the Scream movies since the release of the seventh one. So last year, when I reviewed the OG Trailfly Zero, I didn’t give it a bad review, but, like Ghostface in the Scream movies, it stayed in my head and haunted me. After my initial review miles, I did a lot of other brutal races in it, including muddy races, ultra-distance races, and shorter races that required speed and obstacles. The shoe deserved a much better review than I initially gave it.

The way I can explain myself and my thought process is Scream 3. Scream 3 is one of those movies that did something really ambitious and broke from tradition. It’s a movie within a movie, and the plot gets wild with the cast and crew, etc. The purists crushed it, and it’s one of the lowest-rated Scream movies. I was poisoned by this thinking when I reviewed the Trailfly Zero last year. The fit worried me. I felt that Inov8 purists would hate it, and that concern kept me from rating the shoe as high as I might have.

Well, guess what? I don’t care this time, and I’m going to really strive to do right by the Trailfly Zero, just like we should have with Scream 3.

I ran the Mid Maryland 50k in the Trailfly and encountered all elements, and I have a lot of thoughts. Let’s go!

BRADY: This is my first trail review since becoming a full-time part of Believe in the Run. I’m here not because of my pedigree as a trail runner like John, but rather because Taylor knows I’ve worn a lot of barefoot shoes. I first encountered Inov8 back in college when my lifting buddy (who was way ahead of the curve) had a pair of their Fastlift weightlifting shoes, but since then, I hadn’t thought much about the brand until The Running Event last year. Johnny Dodgin, a footwear PLM at the brand, introduced himself, and we spoke briefly about Inov8 and its commitment to natural foot shapes in its shoes. Needless to say, it’s been months since then, so when I finally got a pair to test, I was pumped.

My part of this review will have nothing to do with Scream 3, given I don’t watch horror movies and am easily spooked. However, I’ve logged several runs in the Trailfly Zero v2, and I’m excited to share my thoughts.

What we like about the Inov8 Trailfly Zero v2

JOHN: The Trailfly Zero v2 shines brightest in straight-up sloppy conditions. On the East Coast, we have snow, melts, more snow, mud, wetness, and you name it. It’s basically England here, and, as Brady said while discussing this shoe, the trail conditions here are what the British are known for. I got this shoe at the perfect time. Scream 3 also knows what it is — a fun tabloid crime movie, a movie within a movie, a crime documentary dream-fanatic parody, a critique of Hollywood people cheat code, which makes the movie always relevant and ages better and better. Inov8 has made a cheat code here as well with the Trailfly Zero v2.

It works best when you need to be nimble on your feet in tough conditions. I found the combination of the shoe’s fit, light weight, and grippy lugs made tough conditions easy to manage. Just like the Scream franchise, it’s perfectly crafted. This shoe is meant to be put through hell — submerged in water, stabbed, beaten, and you can never leave it for dead. Like characters in Scream who you think are dead that come back, somehow, the Trailfly Zero refuses to die. I’ll talk more about the fit in the next section, but I didn’t get any blisters at the Mid Maryland 50k. The minimal design and Flyspeed Pro foam feels refreshing and a nice switch-up from running in other zero-drop shoes.

I’ve been racing a lot lately; this was my eighth ultra this year. I walked every hill and ran all the downhill and flat parts and got under 6 hours. I didn’t plan on doing that, but I felt great, and a big reason was the Trailfly. It’s a tough shoe that eats up cruddy conditions but still feels great. The main improvements over the original are that it’s more protective and has a better grip. You feel more stable and ready to do more daredevil stuff out there. One last note: if you have to run some road or a less technical trail in races, using this shoe doesn’t feel bad at all. With other shoes geared more for extreme conditions, that is not the case, but this one feels great on the easier stuff, too.

BRADY: Man, when I opened the box and saw the colorway and look of the Trailfly Zero v2, I was pumped. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m expecting my first kid later this year, but the gray-on-gray dad look is slick. I wouldn’t buy it for that purpose, but it’s nice to look nice. But what about the fit?

I’ve worn plenty of Topos and Altras, and I would say the Trailfly Zero v2 feels like a hybrid of the two in terms of fit. Altras are plenty wide throughout the entire shoe, typically, while Topo shares a wide forefoot but narrows through the midfoot. Topo also has a signature arch support that some people might like, while others find it aggressive. This isn’t a Topo review, though; this is for Inov8, and I have to say I really like the way the Trailfly Zero v2 fits.

I prefer shoes without much arch support, and the Zero v2 has very subtle arch support, if any. The midfoot felt comfortable with just enough room for my arch and peroneal nerve to breathe, and the toebox curves and opens perfectly for your toes and forefoot. The upper does feel pretty stiff due to the rubber overlays around the saddle, but when the shoe is laced up on the run, I didn’t have any hotspots at all. This thing fits like a glove, and because I use a runner’s knot on all of my shoes, I didn’t have any heel lift or problems on the run.

I took the Trailfly Zero v2 on some pretty mild trails, and I felt the most nimble I have ever been in a trail shoe, which is saying something. There was plenty of mud, rocks, and roots, and, as John has already attested, the outsole shines in these conditions. To get to the trails, I also logged 8-10 miles or so on the road, and while I can’t say running on asphalt in a minimal trail shoe felt awesome, this G-Grip outsole still looks new and will definitely hold up for many miles to come.

What we don’t like about the Inov8 Trailfly Zero v2

JOHN: The fit here is complicated. I questioned it initially when I put on the Trailfly Zero v2 before the Mid Maryland 50k. I used the shoe right out of the box. It felt like US M11.5 was short, and my toes were going to slam into the shoe. But that was not the case. I trusted the fit, and it worked absolutely great. In fact, it helped me be more nimble to maneuver mud, wetness, and other obstacles the trail presented. I know this is not something I didn’t like. I put this here because you have to be mindful of sizing with this shoe. It may seem off initially, but give it a chance before making judgments.

A slight nitpick: the shoe went up in price by $ 15, but it’s still totally worth it at $175. I just hope it doesn’t deter people from buying it. It’s still less expensive than many lesser options.

BRADY: I’m going to touch on a couple of things here that shouldn’t be deal breakers but might push you to other options in the Inov8 lineup. The Trailfly line has four models to choose from, and this is the only one that’s zero-drop. On my first run, I felt the Zero v2 was a tad firm, but on subsequent runs, it seemed to soften up a little. I think if you are looking for a cushioned experience, you might want to look towards the Trailfly Max v2 they offer, or even the standard Trailfly v2. The Max apparently features the same midsole as the Zero, which is interesting, but I’ll have to try the Max to see if the foam feels different.

I think my biggest callout here is price. At $175, I think the Trailfly Zero v2 is creeping into a very competitive market. For $20 and $15 less, you could pick up the Topo Pursuit 3 or Altra Lone Peak 9+, respectively, which arguably aren’t direct competitors given their stack heights, but they both maintain the same zero-drop platform some might be looking for.

Before I let dollar values have the final say, though, I will say I really enjoy the way Inov8 dialed the fit. It feels nimble and slim, yet comfortable. Also, the midsole feels like it almost pushes you towards your big toe, allowing for a very natural stride and toe-off. Inov8 also offers the shoe in wide, which I’d be curious to try. So yes, it is expensive, but it feels like most things are these days. You’ll get plenty of miles out of a pair, though, so maybe think about it that way.

Final thoughts on the Inov8 Trailfly Zero v2

JOHN: There is no comparison between this shoe and the other zero-drop trail shoes I’ve reviewed this year. For anyone who does rugged races, you really need to look at this shoe. Inov8 has the fit dialed in and an incredible balance of just enough cushion with lugs that can instill confidence in even the most clumsy of trail runners (like myself).

I give this shoe an A. As much as I enjoyed the original, this is better. The only reason I didn’t give it an S grade is that, while the fit worked for me, I worry it won’t for all foot shapes. With that said, Inov8 does have a wide fit, too, so definitely consider that if needed to help dial in the right sizing. If you get it right, it will make you an acrobat out there!

I’m considering using this shoe on a lot of gnarly stuff I have coming up. Inov8 is the Scream franchise. It caters to the fans big time and stays true to its roots while updating to changing times. I highly encourage you to get this shoe as soon as possible and go get dirty on the trail. You won’t regret it.

Out of all the shoes I’ve ever reviewed is the closest one to a shoe totally made for me. With that said, and going back to my grade, I can’t give it an S for that reason, because it may not work for some or may require dialing in the correct fit. But I want to give it an S badly because I want to use it everywhere, and it feels tailored to me.

BRADY: I feel like I’ve hit on everything here. I love that when people ask me about wide toe-box options, I can add Inov8 to my arsenal of suggestions. For $175, you’re going to get a shoe that will last and can be put through the wringer, but I can see how the price might be off-putting for some.

I am pretty finicky about sizing, and this shoe feels like it was built with me in mind. If you have a very wide foot, you can move from the standard to wide fit, and I think you’d be happy. I don’t run exclusively in zero-drop shoes, so I might need to try the rest of the Trailfly models with varying drop heights, because I’m pretty happy with what I’m seeing. I’m giving the Trailfly Zero v2 an A overall, especially for running on tough terrain, but I’m not sure you’ll find many better zero-drop options on the trail. In that super small niche, it’s definitely S tier, but for the general runner, I think it’s something you’d be glad to put on regardless.

Update: I used the Trailfly Zero v2 at Terrapin Mountain 50k, and it was incredible. Technical downhill, which I’m heinous at (with rocks, roots, wetness). It provided protection from slippery stuff. I was flying on fireroad. This shoe is tough, and I feel it deserves an S grade. It absolutely earned it by being incredible on a fast flat course Mid Maryland 50k and a Mountain race: Terrapin Mountain 50k.

Also, I may use it in my next race, too. I love it that much. You need to experience the level of toughness this shoe brings. It’s not only the best zero-drop trail shoe I’ve reviewed this year, but I’ll go as far as to say it’s the best trail shoe I’ve reviewed this year. The only flaw I pointed out initially was really the sizing of this shoe, but Inov8 also has a wide option, so for what this shoe is worth in terms of functionality and the options Inov8 has on sizing I’m going to give this shoe a green light for Inov8 fans, people who haven’t tried Inov8, and people that run lots of ultras.

You can pick up the Inov8 Trailfly Zero v2 for $175 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.